Can color Doppler ultrasound detect renal cancer?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on June 02, 2025
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As an imaging examination method, color Doppler ultrasound can examine the kidneys and detect signs of kidney diseases, including kidney cancer, but it cannot serve as a definitive basis for diagnosing kidney cancer. Color Doppler ultrasound observes the size, shape, structure, and other medical information of the examined organ. From this information, some clues indicating kidney cancer can be found. However, to confirm kidney cancer, a pathological diagnosis is often required. Pathological diagnosis involves performing a kidney biopsy or surgically removing a part of the kidney tissue for pathological examination to definitively determine the presence of kidney cancer. Thus, color Doppler ultrasound can only serve as a clue in the investigation of kidney cancer.

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Are renal cell carcinoma and kidney cancer the same thing?

Kidney cancer is one of the types included in the simplified classification of renal tumors. Generally, kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma, renal adenoma, adrenal adenoma, and papillary cystadenocarcinoma, which are commonly encompassed within the scope of kidney cancer. Simply put, kidney cancer is a category in clinical diagnostic examinations. Renal cell carcinoma belongs to the pathological classification of renal tumors, and typically includes conventional types of renal cell carcinoma, such as the commonly mentioned clear cell carcinoma, which is the most common type. Additionally, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and collecting duct carcinoma are also types of renal cell carcinoma.

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Kidney cancer most commonly metastasizes to which locations?

Kidney cancer clinically tends to metastasize through direct spread, the lymphatic pathway, and the hematogenous pathway. The lymphatic route often involves enlargement of the perirenal lymph nodes or the lymph nodes in the groin or retroperitoneum. Kidney cancer is also prone to metastasize to the lungs, liver, bones, and other parts via the bloodstream. Similarly, kidney cancer can spread to the perirenal area, ureters, bladder, and other parts through direct extension. Once kidney cancer metastasizes to other organs, it is considered to be in the advanced stages clinically, and treatment primarily involves targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and other comprehensive treatment measures, with surgical treatment not being used as the primary anti-tumor treatment. Once kidney cancer has metastasized, the clinical staging is late, and the prognosis for the patients is poor.

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What are the early symptoms of kidney cancer?

Many cases of kidney cancer often have no obvious symptoms in their early stages and are not discovered until the tumor progresses. After the tumor progresses, symptoms may include hematuria, which can be intermittent, painless, and visible throughout its course. There may also be back pain and a lump in the abdomen, which is evident in about twenty percent of cases. Slim individuals might find it easier to detect such lumps. There are also some extrarenal manifestations including fever, weight loss, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, hypertension, polycythemia, hypercalcemia, liver function impairment, etc. These symptoms might appear in the early stages. However, symptoms can vary from person to person.

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Can kidney cancer patients eat mutton?

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Post-nephrectomy care for renal cancer

Postoperative care measures for kidney cancer primarily include observing the patient's vital signs. After a radical nephrectomy for a large renal tumor, a significant amount of tissue is removed including the kidney, surrounding adrenal fat, and lymph nodes at the renal hilum, which results in larger surgical wounds and potentially more bleeding. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor for signs of bleeding and ensure that transfusions and fluid administrations are unobstructed. Secondly, careful observation and management of the wound drainage tubes are required. Thirdly, for radical nephrectomies, once the patient is past the anesthesia phase and the blood pressure is stable, a semi-reclined position can be adopted. Patients who have undergone partial nephrectomy should remain in bed for one to two weeks to prevent further bleeding, and kidney functions should be monitored. Additionally, attention should be paid to symptoms such as breath holding and difficulty in breathing. Postoperative feeding should commence once gastrointestinal function is restored; thereafter, nutrition should be enhanced to boost bodily resistance. Calming medications may be appropriately used to ease pain, facilitating movement, effective coughing, and expectoration.